Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 5/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have a 14.5 month old boy who was born 3 weeks early with no complications.  He is still not walking but is cruising. He can’t stand alone at this time either. The reason I am writing is because I have some concerns I would like to address with you. This is what he can do at his age:
clap his hands, babbles up a storm, waves, gives hugs, makes GREAT eye contact, screams at times and  I think it is to get my attention, imitates me at times  and imitates words I say. He undertands simple commands like get me your ball or where is your shoe? He gestures for "no" when he doesn’t want something. He responds to his names most of the time but at times I think he just  ignores me or not interested in looking at me and I can call him ten times and he wont respond. It all depends on what he is doing at the moment. On occasion when he is hungry or tired he will suck his thumb and put his head on my lap to show me he is tired. He recently started reaching out for me to be picked up but only when someone else is holding him.

This is what concerns me: He doesn’t point but on occasion he will point with his whole hand but that doesn’t happen too often. When he does do that its not to show me something he does it on his own or  if I ask him.  He used to rock back and forth but only does that now if there is music playing. He flaps his arms only if he is super excited or mad. He loves to spin wheels over and over but not obsessively where he can stay there all day. He does move on to other toys but really enjoys spinning wheels and watching anything with lights.
He says mama and dada but I don't think he means it. When he wants a toy and or can't reach something he sits there and screams or cries until I get it for him. He doesn't call my attention to get it. Although today when he couldn't get his ball he looked my way when he was crying and this was the first time. He is an only child and is rarely around other kids. He doesn't seem to pay attention to other kids much. He will touch them and fight over a toy with them but that’s the extent of it. He prefers older kids than babies his own age for some reason. His babysitter doesn't speak English well so she sometimes speaks to him in her language and English as well. He says the word out, hi and uh oh but only if I say them first and that’s about it at the moment. Should I be worried about autism since he doesn't point and try to  get my attention. There is a kid I know who is only 1 month older than him and when he wants something he takes his moms hand and brings her there to show her. My child doesn’t do anything like that and when I saw this I got worried that my baby doesn’t do this. Please let me know and thank you so much for your time.

ANSWER: Hi Naomi

Actually, I'm worried about the child who takes his mom's hand and brings her to show her what he wants-that's not good. That's an issue for a child who is almost 16 months.

You son does show some red flags for concern. That doesn't mean he has autism, but he does seem to show a delay of sorts. He should be starting to say some words and walking by now.

You need to get him a developmental evaluation by qualified individuals. See if your area has a Early Intervention program. Call the public schools and ask. Or you can look for a developmental pediatrician in your area.

Let me know how it goes and we can talk about doing some language stimulation programming at home.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would love to do some  language stimulation programming at home as you had suggested.Could you give me some ideas/examples?

ANSWER: Yes of course. The way it works is that I set up a time to do a formal consult with you on the phone or via Skype. I usually work for about an hour and a half, but I can work with you if that charge would be too high. I never let finances keep me from helping someone.

That would be what I recommend.

If you just want a few general tips, I can do that as well. No charge.

Please email me at:
info@valerieherskowitz.com

Looking forward to hearing from you!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi

Thank you for responding. If you can give me some tips for now that would be great and after his 15 month check up i can follow up with you and take it from there. Thank you so much  and I look  forward to hearing from you.

Answer
I would recommend that you implement a augmentative communication program for the time being until he acquires speech. At his age, you could try some sign language. THere are several books in the stores called Baby signs or something along those lines. Some people actually teach sign language to their babies who don't have delays. Or you can make some picture cards for items that your son requests and try to get him to point to a picture of things that he wants.

Another thing is to work on his understanding of language. Again I would use picture cards and ask him to point to the picture of the word you are saying. Start with just two cards and gradually work up to about six or so at a time.

You should also  try and get him to imitate words. There is a great program called the Kaufman Praxis Treatment Program that you can get to help him learn to imitate.

Hope these ideas help. Keep in touch